Systems and methods for providing a selectively attachable and multi-functional shoe strap

ABSTRACT

Selectively attachable, dynamic, and multi-functional shoe straps. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for providing a shoe strap device that is selectively attachable to a shoe, secures a user&#39;s foot to the shoe, provides comfort to the user, releases stress of the user&#39;s foot, and prevents the shoe from slipping off the user&#39;s foot while walking.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/596,766 filed Mar. 10, 2017, entitled “STRAPPY COUTURE—A MULTI-STYLING AND MULTI-FUNCTIONAL REMOVABLE SHOE STRAP” (Attorney Docket No. 28521.2); the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to selectively attachable and multi-functional shoe straps. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for providing a shoe strap device that is selectively attachable to a shoe, secures a user's foot to the shoe, provides comfort to the user, releases stress of the user's foot, and prevents the shoe from slipping off the user's foot while walking.

Background and Related Art

When women walk in high heels, flats or other footwear, they can experience having their heel slip out of the shoe, causing stress on their foot and making the shoe uncomfortable to walk in. Thus, while footwear is available, challenges still exist, including causing the user's heel to slip out of the shoe and making it uncomfortable to difficult to use. Accordingly, it would be an improvement in the art to augment or even replace current techniques with other techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to selectively attachable and multi-functional shoe straps. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for providing a shoe strap device that is selectively attachable to a shoe, secures a user's foot to the shoe, provides comfort to the user, releases stress of the user's foot, and prevents the shoe from slipping off the user's foot while walking.

Implementation of the present invention takes place in association with a dynamic and selectively attachable shoe strap device that comfortably secures the user's foot to the shoe, preventing the foot from slipping while walking, regardless of the particular shoe type or brand. At least some implementations provide flexibility to the user to attach, couple, or place the shoe strap where the user feels is most comfortable. Additionally, the shoe strap provides a design feature and can be replaced with another shoe strap to provide a different look. Additionally, the shoe strap device is designed to look and feel as part of the shoe, and the strap can be added or removed at any time.

Accordingly, in at least some implementations, the selectively attachable/detachable shoe strap device is configured to secure the user's foot to the shoe comfortably, releasing the stress of user's feet by preventing the user's foot from slipping out of or off the shoe while walking.

In at least some implementations, the strap is retrofitted anywhere on the inner part of the shoe, where the user feels more comfortable; because every shoe fits differently and every foot is different. The shoe strap device is also designed to add comfort and look as part of the shoe.

The Shoe strap can be used on any suitable footwear device, including on any footwear that does not have support over the top of the foot or the back of the heel.

While the methods and processes of the present invention have proven to be particularly useful in the area of women's footwear, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the methods and processes can be used in a variety of different applications and in a variety of different footwear.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above recited and other features and advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention and are not, therefore, to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a representative shoe strap device having two ends retrofitted to the user's shoe in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective of a representative shoe strap and corresponding attachment mechanism;

FIG. 3 illustrates a representative loop attachment mechanism with plastic protector, shoe strap with hooks, and the representative loops attached on an inside surface of the shoe;

FIG. 4 illustrates a removable feature of a representative shoe strap that is retrofitted to only to one side of the shoe by an attachment mechanism, such as a hook-and-loop fastener;

FIG. 5 illustrates a representative shoe strap embodiment retrofitted to a pair of shoes worn by a user;

FIGS. 6A-F illustrate representative locations where a shoe strap embodiment can be selectively coupled to or retrofitted on representative shoes;

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate additional representative locations where a shoe strap embodiment can be selectively coupled to or retrofitted on other representative shoes;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a representative shoe strap device that has only one end retrofitted to the user's shoe in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a representative shoe strap and attachment mechanism; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a representative loop mechanism with plastic protector, shoe strap with hook mechanism, and the loop mechanism attached on an inside surface of the shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to selectively attachable, dynamic, and multi-functional shoe straps. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for providing a shoe strap device that is selectively attachable to a shoe, secures a user's foot to the shoe, provides comfort to the user, releases stress of the user's foot, and prevents the shoe from slipping off the user's foot while walking.

Embodiments of the present invention takes place in association with a shoe strap. In at least some embodiments, a dynamic and selectively attachable shoe strap device comfortably secures a user's foot to a shoe, preventing the user's foot from slipping while walking, regardless of the particular shoe type or brand. At least some embodiments provide flexibility to the user to attach, couple, or place the shoe strap where the user feels is most comfortable. Additionally, a shoe strap provides a design feature and can be replaced with another shoe strap to provide a different look. Additionally, a shoe strap device is designed to look and feel as part of the shoe, and the strap can be added or removed at any time.

Accordingly, in at least some embodiments, the selectively attachable/detachable shoe strap device is configured to secure the user's foot to the shoe comfortably, releasing the stress of user's feet by preventing the user's foot from slipping out of or off the shoe while walking.

In at least some embodiments, the strap is retrofitted anywhere on the inner part of the shoe, where the user feels more comfortable; because every shoe fits differently and every foot is different. The shoe strap device is also designed to add comfort and look as part of the shoe.

At least some embodiments of the shoe strap can be used on any suitable footwear device, including on any footwear that does not have support over the top of the foot or the back of the heel.

At least some embodiments of a shoe strap device include a strap that has one or two ends. One or both ends of the shoe strap includes an attachment mechanism. Examples of attachment mechanisms include hook-and-loop fasteners, clips, snaps, adhesives, magnets, cords, or other coupling devices or systems.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a representative shoe strap 1 is illustrated, wherein the shoe strap 1 has two ends retrofitted to the user's shoe 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, a perspective view of a representative shoe strap and corresponding attachment mechanism is illustrated. In FIG. 2, shoe strap 1 includes an outside part 1.1 of the strap and an inner part 2.1 of the strap. An attachment mechanism is coupled to or otherwise provided to one or more ends of the shoe strap. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the attachment mechanism includes a hook portion 2 that is coupled to an end of shoe strap 1 and a loop portion 3 that is configured to be coupled to a surface of a shoe 4 with an adhesive 3.1. In the illustrated embodiment, a plastic layer 3.2 is coupled to the adhesive 3.1 to protect the adhesive 3.1 from attaching to any contamination. Plastic layer 3.2 is removed to allow adhesive 3.1 to attach with a surface of a shoe. Accordingly, hook portion 2 is releasable coupled to corresponding loop portion 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates a representative loop attachment mechanism with plastic protector(s), shoe strap with hooks, and the representative loops attached on an inside surface of the shoe. In FIG. 3, shoe strap 1 includes hook portion 2 that is configured to be selectively coupled with or attached to loop portion 3, which is illustrated as being attached to an inside surface 4.1 or an outside surface of shoe 4. While FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment where two ends of shoe strap 1 are selectively attached to shoe 4, other embodiments include a first end being fixably attached to the show and a second end being selectively attached to any of one or more locations of the shoe.

FIG. 4 illustrates a removable feature of a representative shoe strap that is retrofitted to only to one side of the shoe by an attachment mechanism, such as a hook-and-loop fastener. FIG. 5 illustrates a representative shoe strap embodiment retrofitted to a pair of shoes worn by a user.

FIGS. 6A-F illustrate representative locations where a shoe strap embodiment can be selectively coupled to or retrofitted on representative shoes.

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate additional representative locations where a shoe strap embodiment can be selectively coupled to or retrofitted on other representative shoes.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a representative shoe strap device 1 that has only one end retrofitted to the user's shoe in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, shoe strap 1 includes neck 5 that couples the outside part 1.1 of the strap 1, which selectively forms a collar around the user's leg and/or foot, to the hook portion 2, which in turn is selectively attachable to loop portion 3 that is coupled to a surface of the shoe 4.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a representative shoe strap and attachment mechanism.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a representative loop mechanism with plastic protector, shoe strap with hook mechanism, and the loop mechanism attached on an inside surface of the shoe.

In at least some embodiments, the hook portions are fixably attached or sewn to the end of the shoe strap. The loop portions have adhesive on the back that allows the loop portion to be attached to an inner surface of the shoe, therefore allowing the shoe strap to be retained on the shoe by selectively fastening the hook portion with the corresponding loop portion.

Loop portions may be attached or placed anywhere on the inner part of the shoe by peeling off a plastic that protects the adhesive from contamination. After the loop portion has been attached to the shoe, the shoe strap is selectively fastened by placing the corresponding hook portion over the loop portion. The shoe strap may be selectively removed from the shoe by pulling the shoe strap off the loop portion.

In at least some embodiments, a shoe strap includes a material, such as cotton, nylon, or a polymer, and may be combined with elastomers and/or other stretchable fabrics, leather, or any other suitable material. Also, the shoe strap can be manufactured of solid colors or patterns, or in various designs and may include beads, gems, rhinestones, or other accessories as is known in the art.

In some embodiments, the shoe strap is approximately between 2.5 and 11 inches in length as measured from a first end to a second end, approximately between ½ and 4 inches wide, and approximately between 1 and 5 millimeters thick, as measured from top surface to bottom surface. In some embodiments, a hook-and-loop fastener system is approximately between ½ and ¾ inch in length, as wide as the strap will be between ½ and 4 inches wide and approximately between 1 and 5 millimeters thick.

In at least some embodiments, a shoe strap device is designed to secure any suitable footwear that does not have support over the top of the foot or the back of the heel to a user's foot to prevent user's feet from slipping off the shoes.

In some embodiments, a shoe strap device includes a strap that can have one or two ends. Each end of the strap may include a hook-and-loop fastener. The hooks are attached or sewn to each end of the strap. The loops have adhesive in the back of that allow the strap to be retained in the inner part of the shoe. The loop's adhesive is protected from contamination by a thin plastic.

A shoe strap device is retrofitted to the shoe by the hook-and-loop fasteners and can be placed anywhere in the inner part of the shoe and where the user feels more comfortable wearing it.

In some embodiments, a shoe strap includes cotton, nylon, or other polymers, and combined with elastomers and other stretchable fabrics, leather and any other suitable materials. Also, the shoe strap can be manufactured of solid colors or patterns, or in various designs and may include beads, gems, rhinestones, or other accessories as is known in the art.

The shoe strap can be added or removed at any time by pulling the strap from the loops.

In some embodiments, the collar of the strap comprises a unitary, elastomeric material that is configured to go around a user's leg and/or foot.

Thus, as discussed herein, the embodiments of the present invention embrace selectively attachable shoe straps. A shoe strap device is designed to secure a shoe to a user's foot. The shoe strap device includes a strap that can have one or two ends, wherein the ends allows the strap device to be retrofitted to the shoe. The ends include hook-and-loop fasteners. The loops have adhesive in the back that allow the strap to be retained to the shoe. The strap is retrofitted comfortably anywhere in the inner part of the shoe and where the user feels more comfortable. The shoe strap is selectively removable.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dynamic shoe strap comprising: an elongate strap having a first end, a second end, an inside surface, and an outside surface; a first coupling mechanism coupled to the first end; a second coupling mechanism coupled to the second end; a third coupling mechanism selectively coupled to an inside surface of a shoe, wherein the first coupling mechanism is configured to selectively couple to the third coupling mechanism; and a fourth coupling mechanism selectively coupled to a surface of a shoe, wherein the second coupling mechanism is configured to selectively couple to the fourth coupling mechanism.
 2. A dynamic shoe strap comprising: an elongate strap having a first end, a second end, an inside surface, and an outside surface; a first coupling mechanism coupled to the first end; a second coupling mechanism coupled to the second end, wherein the first coupling mechanism is configured to selectively couple to the second coupling mechanism; and a third coupling mechanism that is coupled to a neck portion, wherein the neck portion is also coupled to the elongate strip; and a fourth coupling mechanism selectively coupled to an inside surface of a shoe, wherein the third coupling mechanism is configured to selectively couple to the fourth coupling mechanism.
 3. A dynamic shoe strap comprising: a strap having a collar portion, an inside surface, and an outside surface; a first coupling mechanism that is coupled to a neck portion, wherein the neck portion is also coupled to the collar portion; and a second coupling mechanism selectively coupled to an inside surface of a shoe, wherein the first coupling mechanism is configured to selectively couple to the second coupling mechanism. 